Eric Schmertz
Encyclopedia
Eric Joseph Schmertz was an American lawyer who specialized in labor negotiation, helping reach agreements between workers and management in many strikes and other threatened union actions in New York City, including actions by the city's taxi drivers
and other municipal workers, as well as helping resolve other negotiations elsewhere in the United States. A law professor for many years, he also served as dean of Hofstra University School of Law
.
Schemrtz was born on December 24, 1925, in the Bronx. Raised in suburban New Rochelle, New York
, he played baseball at New Rochelle High School
and was tendered a contract to play for the Pittsburgh Pirates
after being spotted by a scout for the team. Schmertz rejected the offer and enlisted in the United States Navy
, where he served in the Pacific Theater
during World War II
. After completing his military service he completed his undergraduate degree in 1948 at Union College
and earned his law degree in 1952 from the New York University School of Law
.
When The Rockettes
went on strike at Radio City Music Hall
in 1967, Schmertz helped negotiate a deal that brought the dancers pay increases of 15%. A 1969 negotiation he oversaw brought 2,000 striking cab drivers back to work. While negotiating a labor agreement relating to adjusting the schedules of employees of the New York City Fire Department
in 1970, Schmertz spent time with a firehouse and joined the firemen on calls to incidents.
Mayor of New York City
Ed Koch
refused to reappoint him after he had served 15 years as part of the city's negotiating board, saying that Schmertz had favored union workers over the needs and concerns of the city. Koch was so bothered by the favoritism he perceived that Schmertz had for union workers, that he said that he had "turned Schmertz into a verb and a noun", so that "If you have been abused, we say you have been Schmertzed. If you get an unwarranted and undeserved payment from the City of New York, you say, 'Thank you Mr. Mayor, for the Schmertz.'" "Schmerz" is a German and Yiddish word for pain.
Having been a professor at Hofstra Law School since it was formed in 1970, Schmertz was named as the school's dean in 1982. In that role he created a program teaching students about mediation as an alternative to using the court system.
Mayor David Dinkins
fired Schmertz in 1990 from his position as labor commissioner after he had reached a deal with the city's teachers unions granting a 5.5% increase, amid criticism from other city officials that the deal was too generous. In the early 1990s, he helped negotiate a deal with striking private sanitation workers in the city, ending a five-day strike that affected garbage pickup at businesses and gave employees represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters a three-year deal that included increases of $75 per week.
In 2005, Schmertz was part of an independent committee that oversaw a 10% salary increase as part of a new contract for officers of the New York City Police Department
, with Schmertz noting that police officers in surrounding communities were paid more despite having "less duties, less responsibilities and less stress and danger" and stating that he would have approved an even larger increase if he had the opportunity.
Schmertz died six days before his 85th birthday, at his home in Mount Kisco, New York
. He was survived by his second wife, Harriette, as well as by a daughter, three sons and five grandchildren.
Taxicabs of New York City
The taxicabs of New York City, with their distinctive yellow paint, are a widely recognized icon of the city. Taxicabs are operated by private companies and licensed by the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission. The Commission is a New York City government agency that is best known for its...
and other municipal workers, as well as helping resolve other negotiations elsewhere in the United States. A law professor for many years, he also served as dean of Hofstra University School of Law
Hofstra University School of Law
The Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University is located in Hempstead, New York. Founded in 1970 and accredited by the ABA in 1971, the school offers a JD, a joint JD/MBA degree, and LL.M degrees in American Law and Family law...
.
Schemrtz was born on December 24, 1925, in the Bronx. Raised in suburban New Rochelle, New York
New Rochelle, New York
New Rochelle is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States, in the southeastern portion of the state.The town was settled by refugee Huguenots in 1688 who were fleeing persecution in France...
, he played baseball at New Rochelle High School
New Rochelle High School
New Rochelle High School is a public high school, comprising grades 9 through 12, in New Rochelle, New York, operated by the City School District of New Rochelle. NRHS serves over 3,300 students; offering more than 240 courses, including honors, research and advanced placement courses.NRHS...
and was tendered a contract to play for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
after being spotted by a scout for the team. Schmertz rejected the offer and enlisted in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, where he served in the Pacific Theater
Pacific Theater of Operations
The Pacific Theater of Operations was the World War II area of military activity in the Pacific Ocean and the countries bordering it, a geographic scope that reflected the operational and administrative command structures of the American forces during that period...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. After completing his military service he completed his undergraduate degree in 1948 at Union College
Union College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
and earned his law degree in 1952 from the New York University School of Law
New York University School of Law
The New York University School of Law is the law school of New York University. Established in 1835, the school offers the J.D., LL.M., and J.S.D. degrees in law, and is located in Greenwich Village, in the New York City borough of Manhattan....
.
When The Rockettes
The Rockettes
The Rockettes are a precision dance company performing out of the Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan, New York City. During the Christmas season, the Rockettes have performed five shows a day, seven days a week, for 77 years...
went on strike at Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall is an entertainment venue located in New York City's Rockefeller Center. Its nickname is the Showplace of the Nation, and it was for a time the leading tourist destination in the city...
in 1967, Schmertz helped negotiate a deal that brought the dancers pay increases of 15%. A 1969 negotiation he oversaw brought 2,000 striking cab drivers back to work. While negotiating a labor agreement relating to adjusting the schedules of employees of the New York City Fire Department
New York City Fire Department
The New York City Fire Department or the Fire Department of the City of New York has the responsibility for protecting the citizens and property of New York City's five boroughs from fires and fire hazards, providing emergency medical services, technical rescue as well as providing first response...
in 1970, Schmertz spent time with a firehouse and joined the firemen on calls to incidents.
Mayor of New York City
Mayor of New York City
The Mayor of the City of New York is head of the executive branch of New York City's government. The mayor's office administers all city services, public property, police and fire protection, most public agencies, and enforces all city and state laws within New York City.The budget overseen by the...
Ed Koch
Ed Koch
Edward Irving "Ed" Koch is an American lawyer, politician, and political commentator. He served in the United States House of Representatives from 1969 to 1977 and three terms as mayor of New York City from 1978 to 1989...
refused to reappoint him after he had served 15 years as part of the city's negotiating board, saying that Schmertz had favored union workers over the needs and concerns of the city. Koch was so bothered by the favoritism he perceived that Schmertz had for union workers, that he said that he had "turned Schmertz into a verb and a noun", so that "If you have been abused, we say you have been Schmertzed. If you get an unwarranted and undeserved payment from the City of New York, you say, 'Thank you Mr. Mayor, for the Schmertz.'" "Schmerz" is a German and Yiddish word for pain.
Having been a professor at Hofstra Law School since it was formed in 1970, Schmertz was named as the school's dean in 1982. In that role he created a program teaching students about mediation as an alternative to using the court system.
Mayor David Dinkins
David Dinkins
David Norman Dinkins is a former politician from New York City. He was the Mayor of New York City from 1990 through 1993; he was the first and is, to date, the only African American to hold that office.-Early life:...
fired Schmertz in 1990 from his position as labor commissioner after he had reached a deal with the city's teachers unions granting a 5.5% increase, amid criticism from other city officials that the deal was too generous. In the early 1990s, he helped negotiate a deal with striking private sanitation workers in the city, ending a five-day strike that affected garbage pickup at businesses and gave employees represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters a three-year deal that included increases of $75 per week.
In 2005, Schmertz was part of an independent committee that oversaw a 10% salary increase as part of a new contract for officers of the New York City Police Department
New York City Police Department
The New York City Police Department , established in 1845, is currently the largest municipal police force in the United States, with primary responsibilities in law enforcement and investigation within the five boroughs of New York City...
, with Schmertz noting that police officers in surrounding communities were paid more despite having "less duties, less responsibilities and less stress and danger" and stating that he would have approved an even larger increase if he had the opportunity.
Schmertz died six days before his 85th birthday, at his home in Mount Kisco, New York
Mount Kisco, New York
Mount Kisco is a community that is both a village and a town in Westchester County, New York, United States. The Town of Mount Kisco is coterminous with the village. The population was 10,877 at the 2010 census.- History :...
. He was survived by his second wife, Harriette, as well as by a daughter, three sons and five grandchildren.